April is also National Poetry Month. It's a great time for a poetry slam or workshop.

April is also National Poetry Month. It's a great time for a poetry slam or workshop.

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'''Host a teen 4-H seminar'''. [http://www.4-h.org/ What is 4-H?] Some towns may have free recycling items like blue bags, or recycling bins, or even offer tree disposals that can remove and turn dead or cumbersome trees into something useful. Teens can research ways of participating in global green efforts.

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'''Host a teen 4-H seminar'''. [http://www.4-h.org/ What is 4-H?] - [http://pariurionline.com/case-de-pariuri/bwin bwin] Some towns may have free recycling items like blue bags, or recycling bins, or even offer tree disposals that can remove and turn dead or cumbersome trees into something useful. Teens can research ways of participating in global green efforts.

*YA-YAAC is an email listserv maintained by YALSA whose primary focus is to provide a forum to exchange ideas on library programming for teens. Besides programming, topics such as managing a Teen Advisory Group, implementing policies & procedures for teen services, conducting outreach efforts and more are also discussed here. This list is open to anyone who would like to join. For more details, or to subscribe, please visit YALSA's [http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/electronicresourcesb/websitesmailing.cfm#discussion web site]. Participants agree to comply with YALSA's [http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/aboutyalsa/elistpolicies.cfm Electronic Discussion List Policies & Procedures].

*YA-YAAC is an email listserv maintained by YALSA whose primary focus is to provide a forum to exchange ideas on library programming for teens. Besides programming, topics such as managing a Teen Advisory Group, implementing policies & procedures for teen services, conducting outreach efforts and more are also discussed here. This list is open to anyone who would like to join. For more details, or to subscribe, please visit YALSA's [http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/electronicresourcesb/websitesmailing.cfm#discussion web site]. Participants agree to comply with YALSA's [http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/aboutyalsa/elistpolicies.cfm Electronic Discussion List Policies & Procedures].

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*YOUmedia has some information about programming basics on their [http://www.youmedia.org/programs.php web site].

January

My branch hosted a viewing of Return of the King, an episode (#9 season one) of the animated series The Boondocks. The series, for those who are unfamiliar, is somewhat controversial in tone, especially when it comes to the presentation of race issues, so be warned. It would not fare well in a very conservative community.

In this particular episode Martin Luther King, Jr. never died from the attempt on his life but fell into a coma. Years later he is revived and witnessnesses firsthand African American culture of the 21st century. He's not pleased, and is fired up enough to start up a new cultural revolution. Viewing is gauranteed to spark conversation and light debate in your audience. The only possible obstacle is obtaining the public viewing license for the episode, which is owned by Sony Pictures Television and Adult Swim. It works well across age levels and with families. Prepare a disclaimer in the beginning explaining the nature of the series and be prepared with discussion questions.

You can pick a topic of the African-American experience in America and celebrate that with books, crafts, and games all month long! Suggested topics can include some popular moments in history such as the Civil Rights Movement (the boycotts, leaders, sit-ins, laws, and continuing cases from the era). Highlighting that young people played a key role in the movement across the nation. Or, you can have programs around the Harlem Renaissance (recreating the Literature, Art, Music, poetry, include Chicago’s own Renaissance). Or even feature some lesser known historically significant occurrence such as the many Maroon villages (runaway slave settlements) in the Caribbean, Florida, South Carolina, and others throughout the Americas beginning as early as the 1500s as slaves ran away to escape bondage. Challenge the teens to find as much research as they can on these havens (the religion, music, lifestyles, organizational structure, etc.)

Also celebrated this month are:

February is Library Lovers Month. Ask your teens to fill out index cards explaining why they love their library, then post them in a display. Save their answers, and submit them to your director and use them for advocacy efforts.

February 2 is Groundhog Day. Hold a contest with your teens to see if they can predict as well as Punxsautawny Phil.

February 3 is the Chinese New Year. Have programs centered around Chinese culture and heritage. Promote books, movies, and activities inspired by Chinese heritage. Host a program on Chinese paper arts or a discussion on China's unique political history. Have arts and crafts books, zodiac books, Asian cookbooks, and books on Eastern religions, folklore, and traditions.

February 14 is Valentine’s Day. Have a list of recommended books featuring poetry and love. And for fun, how about a list of books featuring romantic high jinks?

February 21 is President’s Day. Plan programs looking at American history or use this to encourage teens to write to the current president about an issue they think is important.

April

April 1st is Humor Day or April Fools’ Day

April 21st is Patriot’s Day

April 22nd is Earth Day

What's more popular than being green? So how about a Green Week or Day? Teens come to their local libraries and activities and research are all "green"-friendly. They can clean up around their homes, libraries or schools. They can do recycling projects.

April is also National Poetry Month. It's a great time for a poetry slam or workshop.

Host a teen 4-H seminar. What is 4-H? - bwin Some towns may have free recycling items like blue bags, or recycling bins, or even offer tree disposals that can remove and turn dead or cumbersome trees into something useful. Teens can research ways of participating in global green efforts.

May

May is "Get Caught Reading" Month

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

Cinco De Mayo

National Teacher’s Day

Free Comic Book Day varies each year, but it usually happens in the first week of May. Participating comic book stores throughout the country give away free comic books. In the libraries, how about trying a comic strip contest? You can post each entry in your library weekly, or make one large display. For ideas or inspiration take a look at this hilarious library based comic entitled Unshelved

May 10 is National Clean up Your Room Day

May 12th is Limerick Day. Quick definition of Limerick How many limericks can your teens come up with in a half hour? Have groups of teens test their rhyming skills, and some teen as judges awarding points for humor, corny-ness and subject matter! Give prizes.

May 12 is Mother’s Day

May 26 is Memorial Day

June

Summer reading programs. Book groups/discussions for teens. See YALSA's recommendations for Summer reading.

June is Gay and Lesbian Pride Month

June is National Candy Month

June 5th is World Environment Day

June 15th is Father’s Day

Juneteenth, or June 19th, is the African-American Independence Day celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in America. Texas was the first state to declare this date a holiday, and celebrations are held in places like the Smithsonian and the Henry Ford Museum. For more information visit the Juneteenth website

July

July 4th is Independence Day

July 27th is Parent’s Day

August

September

School year begins for most districts. It might be helpful to have a treasure map or treasure hunt in the beginning of the year, so that kids are allowed to become acquainted with the different areas of the library.

September is College Savings Month

September 1st is Labor Day

September 7th is Grandparent’s day

September 8th is International Literacy day

September 11-17th is National emergency Preparedness Week

September 27th thru October 4th is Banned Books Week. A great time to feature some banned books in the library. Make a list of recent and previously banned books for recommended reading! For more info visit ALA's Banned Books website. Also visit ALA's Censorship & Challenges site to add your story.

November

American Diabetes Month

Mom and Dad, dinner's on me tonight! Feature programs around nutrition, exercising, and health. Have teens make their own cookbooks, check out cookbooks, or go on-line and find a recipe they can make for their families at home! Make it an all day, week or month activity. Teens can learn about proper foods, and healthy dieting strategies, while doing something fun like having a recipe contest. Or they can learn how to make homemade ice cream using natural ingredients. They can also read about the gross things put into common foods and goodies. Inviting a nutritionist, having pamphlets, or noting responsible websites for teens interested in healthier lifestyles and eating habits can be an option. Or you can have the local gyms offer classes at the library (if there is room), or give discounts, or even just do a demonstration on safe workout practices.

Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month

National Inspirational Role Models Month

National American Indian Heritage Month. How much do most teens know about the current state of Native Americans? What issues are affecting them and how can teens become involved in remedies?

National Novel Writing Month. An entire novel may be a bit of a challenge with the demands pulling at today's teens, so how about a novella with a theme? Here are a few to try: Spanish soap opera-style writing, heavy on the drama;man versus the elements in a battle for control and dominatio; or a book of verse for the many wannabe rappers and rock stars.

Elections: elections are often held this month. Help your teen patrons prepare themselves to become active, voting citizens. Invite local candidates to speak at a Candidates' Forum at your library. Have teens prepare questions in advance to ask the candidates. Invite a representative from each local chapters of various political parties to speak to teens about their issues, concerns and platform. Hold a voter registration drive in your library and recruit teen volunteers to help run it. Create displays featuring books and resources that focus on the political process.

Youth Appreciation Week is the 11-17.

November 11-17 is Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week. Get your teens involved by donating their time to a soup kitchen, shelter or food depository, hold a clothes drive, or raise money via a Book-a-thon. Just as people sponsor walkers or runners per mile ran, teens can get people to sponsor them per book read all year long. The money can be donated to a local agency that helps fight hunger and homelessness.

November 11th is Veteran’s Day.

November 27th is Thanksgiving.

December

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month

December 4th thru 12th is Chanukah

December 9 is (Eid) al Adha

December 25th is Christmas

December 26-January 1 is Kwanzaa

Year Round

Film and book critics at your local library. Because most libraries have an audio and video section, how about offering teens an opportunity to write reviews on their favorite movie, book, or audiobook? They can recommend material they've viewed, they can offer a critique, and most importantly, they can get involved! This can even turn into a weekly or monthly library publication.

Technology Workshops led by teens are a great way to involve teens in the library. Most will find info on web design, blogging, and social networking very helpful. Using safe and smart practices for social networking and downloading music, TV, and movies can also be stressed at this time. Invite parents & guardians to learn more about how their teens can safely use the web tools available at their library. Or run a program in which teens pair with seniors to learn how to better use technology.

Trivia is always fun, so whatever day, week, month or event you decide to recognize, you can pose a question regarding that event and give out prizes to those with correct answers. Or ask teens to write a few words regarding the event. For instance, Did you know that the a rudimentary zipper premiered at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair by a Chicago inventor named Whitcomb Judson? With exotic animals, grand architecture, strange food, machines, and people, it was easily overlooked. However, Gideon Sundback, an employee of Whitcomb, improved on his design and was awarded a patent for the zipper on April 29, 1913. This is the reason why April 29 is now national Zipper Day! What would we have done without the zipper?!

With the 2008 election being such a hot topic this year, how about Civic Week or Day? Kids can learn about the political process, have librarian led/staged debates on candidates. Stage campaigns, volunteer at their local politicians offices. Have a countdown to a new president display at your local library.

Need ideas to attract teen readers? How about placing a suggestion box in the teen section? Who better than teens to offer suggestions on having a better library experience?

Placing a monthly or daily calendar with Fun Facts in view, with recommended reading materials or correlated websites can be both engaging and informative too!

Tips for Programming on the Cheap

Food

Ask the Home Economics Dept. at the high school to make and donate goodies.

Seek donations from local stores and businesses. Be sure to write a formal thank you letter indicating the type and amount of the donation they can use for tax purposes.

Consider nonmonetary prizes, such as a coupon for waiving overdue fines.

Speakers

Tap parents and grandparents in your community.

Contact your local college or university.

Visit the local bookstore to see if they know of any authors in the immediate area.

Contact your local Chamber of Commerce.

Use Skype, e-chats, etc. for a virtual author or speaker visit.

Encourage your teens to speak or present a program.

Supplies

Ask local businesses what they might be able to donate. For example, a craft or yarn store might be able to supply coupons, instruction books, yarn, etc. Be sure to write a formal thank you letter indicating the type and amount of the donation they can use for tax purposes.

Limit programs to those that don't require expensive supplies. Think about DIY and recycling/reusing type of programs, for example.

Visit yard and garage sales to stock up on cheap supplies.

School libraries can participate in Adopt a Classroom to receive supplies donated by an interested individual.

Other

Partner with a local youth organization, school, etc. to defray the overall cost and share resources.

VOYA's Most Valuable Program for Teens. One overall winning MVP program receives $200 and a plaque to display in the library. Runner-up programs are considered in these categories: Active, Creative, Discussion, Pop Culture, and Volunteer/Activism programs. Each category's MVP receives $50. The MVP and all runner-up programs are published in VOYA's October issue each year. If your program is selected for either the "Get With the Program" column or the MVPs, you will be contacted to supply more details and graphics for publication. Deadlines for submissions: June 15 every year for MVP consideration.

YA-YAAC is an email listserv maintained by YALSA whose primary focus is to provide a forum to exchange ideas on library programming for teens. Besides programming, topics such as managing a Teen Advisory Group, implementing policies & procedures for teen services, conducting outreach efforts and more are also discussed here. This list is open to anyone who would like to join. For more details, or to subscribe, please visit YALSA's web site. Participants agree to comply with YALSA's Electronic Discussion List Policies & Procedures.

YOUmedia has some information about programming basics on their web site.